Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn was given to me for an honest review.

Joe Cole is a single father, retired marine, and a businessman running the family fishing lodge in Wisconsin. Marren Laughlin has just been passed over for a promotion and thrown up on her now ex-boyfriend during his marriage proposal. She's leaving her current shatter life to return to the lake she loved as a child and find her brother's best friend, Joe Cole.

This was such a fun read. I loved the relationship between Marren and Joe's kids. This book was such a fresh romance without a single miscommunication which I loved so much.

I will definitely read more of Erin Hahn in the future.

The perfect fall romance does exist!
-Childhood friends to lovers
-Brother's best friend
-Single dad
-Lake life
-Autism representation
-Heartwarmingly wholesome, but still HOT

I love romances with characters in their 30's with chaotic messy lives because I can relate to them so easily. Maren and Josiah are childhood friends who reconnect when she moves back to the lake after a broken engagement. Josiah is a single dad to two children, one with Autism, while running his family's lake resort. Their friendship is just easy; each bringing something to the other that is both needed and desired. But is it easy because it is familiar? Or is this how love is supposed to feel? Both characters were so easy to root for, and the fall lake setting was so beautiful. There is even some holiday magic, and the swooniest epilogues. Contemporary romance lovers who enjoy moderate on-page steam will adore this new release.

I really enjoyed this! I picked this because the blurb said that it was set in the Northwoods, and sometimes the desert heat makes me homesick for trees and cheese curds. Lately I'm into romances between real people who have real people problems, and this definitely fit the bill. I loved the characters of Maren and Joe, and the supporting characters of their family and friends. It was also nice to see autistic characters represented so respectfully. Was the ending predictable? Sure. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in 2 sittings.
I will be recommending this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin's Press and Erin Hahn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! Not being a fisherwoman myself, I wasn't quite sure how much fishing would be included in the book. I'm here to tell you, it's not an overwhelming amount, actually, I think it's just right!

Maren is a newly single woman who runs to the Northwoods of Wisconsin after her most recent breakup. There, she finds Josiah Cole, her brother's best friend and a sexy, divorced, single dad with two kids. They reconnect and sparks fly as they become ingrained in each others' lives.

This story is so much more realistic than most romance novels and I loved that! There's no insta-love, there's no rushing into sex. They build a solid foundation and then realize what they are to each other. The two MCs are well developed, imperfect individuals who each each have baggage (one more than the other) and learn that by helping each other, it lightens the load. The supporting characters of friends and family were well-written and so realistic. I don't know any brother that would be happy about his best friend dating his younger sister. At least, not at first. Don't get me wrong, Liam was a jerk, but I was glad to see his character development.

The entire book, I was thinking 'this is a 4.5-5 star, how do I choose?' The thing that pushed it to 5 was the use of "ope!" It's so charmingly specific to the Midwest that anyone from Wisconsin or Michigan just had to smile. I know I sure did!

Catch and Keep is a cutest rom-com about a woman named Maren who hightails it out to an inherited run down cabin, after being publicly proposed to by her boyfriend. She denied the engagement and decided she wanted to go fix up the cabin and tackle shop her “chosen” uncle left to her. While there she started to become close with her brothers best friend Josiah and his children- one of which has autism and usually has struggles with certain things. The kids become very connected to Maren, as does Josiah. From there they have to figure out if a relationship is something worth having, and if Maren even wants to stay in town after the renovations are concluded. This book was very cute and heartwarming. Please take the time to read it because you won’t regret it!

Get ready to fall head over heels for Catch and Keep, because this book was an absolute gem to read. Filled with love and a whole lot of heart, this story is perfect for kicking off the cozy season.

Set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, this book will transport you right there, on the side of a lake, covered in a blanket while you’re sipping a hot cider! This story was the perfect blend of found family, second chances and an oh so delicious slow burn romance!

Marren was a knockout of a character. She was beautifully written : well-rounded and flawed in the best ways. Essentially, she was unapologetically human and that made her incredibly relatable. Joe was an absolute treat. Loving single father who is completely devoted to his children? Sign me up.

All in all, this book was amazing. If you’re a fan of small town settings and single dad romances,this book will hit you right in the feels.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

This is the perfect book to read this fall. It's a super swoony, sweet and heartwarming romance that also touched on some deeper issues, but it struck the perfect balance between serious and joyful moments.

This book hit several topics that I don’t usually see in romance novels that surprised me- in a good way.

Both main characters were amazing. From the start, I really liked Maren – she had such a strong personality all while being a stunning, outdoorsy baddie. She was independent and tough, but deep down, she just wanted to belong and feel loved. Then ther'es Joe-the ex-Marine single dad—soft, kind, and refreshingly free of red flags—raising 2 kids after his ex-wife walked out. The standout for me, though, was the representation of the daughter being on the autism spectrum. It’s rare to see, and even rarer to see it handled with such care and thoughtfulness.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between the two MCs develop, despite the older brother’s constant interference (seriously, he was so annoying—I wouldn’t have forgiven him as easily).The dynamic between the two main characters was perfect, and it was so heartwarming to see how the FMC noticed the small ways she could support the family right from the start. It was beautifully done. I loved how the relationship developed so organically and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP.

The epilogue was perfect and just what the story needed to wrap it all together.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Erin Hahn for this Negalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful rom-com that just gave feel good, wholesome vibes. The love was sweet and the romance was definitely a slow burn. There was so much more to the story though with deeper issues impacting the main characters. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this arc!

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || CATCH AND KEEP [thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: Catch and Keep
Author: Erin Hahn
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★★

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
At thirty-three, Maren Laughlin has just turned down a proposal, left her decade-long job as a park ranger, and returned to Northern Wisconsin to claim her unexpected inheritance: a rundown bait shop. Ready to take control of her life, despite what others think, Maren finds support in local resort owner Josiah Cole, who knows a thing or two about second chances.

A single dad with two kids and a successful business, Joe isn’t one to judge Maren’s choices. Their connection is effortless, and before they know it, they’re more than just friends. But can something this easy really last, or is it too good to be true?

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Falling in love with your big brother’s best friend in the Wisconsin Northwoods? Sign me up! This was a delicious little love story filled with heart, fish, and found family! Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down!

But what really did it for me was Lucy & Joe. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a male MC before, but I RELATED to Joe. As a mother of an autistic toddler, I saw myself in every choice Joe made - from buying specific clothes (and then mutilating them by cutting out tags) to having a very regular schedule to being delayed in that schedule when the slightest mishap occurs. And through all of that, I loved seeing that Hahn allowed Joe to feel his feelings (because we all have them). He was allowed to be upset, he was allowed to be confused and frustrated, but, ultimately, you saw he loved through it all. In his words, “Lucy was not something [he] was going through. Lucy was his daughter.”

Marin seeing Joe doing that, and stepping in to fill the holes and just wordlessly going along with whatever Joe and Lucy needed her to do and to be…it was beautiful. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a love story that’s between a family and a woman, but I was here for it.

Thank you Erin for showing this story - and thank you so much for not putting me through a Third Act Breakup. I don’t think my heart could have handled it.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
No Third Act Breakup
Small Town Romance
Brother’s Best Friend
Fishing Photos
Autumn in Wisconsin

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.30 ⭐️
# of Pages: 320
Pub Date: October 15, 2024

Genre: Spicy Romance
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️

Summary: Maren has just walked away from her long time boyfriend and career to fix up a bait shop her fishing mentor left her. She runs into her brother’s best friend, Joe, who is navigating his own life changes. They start to lean on one another despite her brother asking her to stay away.

Thoughts: This book was absolutely delightful. The characters and their relationship felt so mature and real. It was refreshing to see such honest, authentic interactions between the main characters, and the emotional depth they both brought to the table made me truly invested.

I loved how the relationship developed organically, creating a connection that felt earned. The found family aspect was heartwarming and added layers to the story. Watching the main characters find strength in each other and in the bonds they created was truly touching.

There were a couple background characters that brought in challenges and I loved how Maren and Joe navigated them together. It gave the story a realistic edge, the author didn’t try to tie it all up in a pretty bow. It was raw and messy in the best way. Overall, this was such a heartwarming, well-balanced read that left me smiling.

Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I didn’t love book 2 in the series, but was hoping this one would be a winner for me. I found it very slow and I never really felt the chemistry between the two characters.

This was my first Erin Hahn novel, and it won't be my last! I had no idea that this was part of a trilogy... Makes sense after reading the blurb on the back of the other 2 books. ** Immediately adds to TBR **

This book provides a good balance between seriousness and fluff. I fell in love with the setting and the characters almost immediately. The slow burn, childhood family-friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Maren and Jo have chemistry from the start... That's not a spoiler... I swear. This one is a good palate cleanser.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

Maren recently threw up on her boyfriend when he proposed and ran away to her inheritance: a lakeside cabin and bait shop. She plans on fixing it up, while working on herself. No plans to find love, until your big brother's best friend walks in and changes everything.

This lakeside fishing themed romance was adorable. The kids were adorable. The romance was adorable. The way the characters from the other books made cameos was adorable. I really enjoyed reading this. I have loved this whole series and would read anything by Erin Hahn at this point.

There's no catch and release in this fishing lakeside fall book but a catch and keep instead. I adored this brother's best friend and single dad romance so much, set near a small lake town in Wisconsin. Perfect for fall, the setting is painted as that last good weekend on the water before the temperatures start to cool, going into the "off-season".

Maren grew up fishing, obsessed with it really as a girl, went on to create her own online show, Musky Maren. Now she is back in town, after a turned down proposal to her ex, ready to fix up a bait shop and apartment that she had inherited. She catch's the eye of her older brother's best friend, single full time father of two kids, who only ever thought previously of Maren as a younger sister.

I loved how this book came together, just a Maren and Joe just fit. She came right into their lives when Joe and the kids needed her and just was a cohesive organic situation. I loved all the interactions with the kids. Lucy, 4, autistic, who has sensory needs, and Austin, 8, who is obsessed with fishing as much as Maren was at his age. Besides the Joe and the kids, Maren also has an internet stalker per say, who is just the creeepiest person. I shuddered every time I had to read about him. Everything, from their relationship, Lucy's needs, Austin's feelings towards his mom, and the stalker were just written so well.

Loved this book so much!

You can expect:
- Fishing
- Brother's best friend
- Two adorable kids
- Former Marine
- Creepy stalker
- Awful ex-wife
- Autism rep
- Cohesive family

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Catch and Keep - Erin Hahn

Northwoods, Wisconsin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I've never felt needed, and it turns out, I really enjoy being depended on. It suits me down to my bones.”

Maren flees to her inherited land on the lake in Wisconsin after a humiliating break up, with intentions to fix up the bait ship she was left. While back in town, she finds herself spending more time than she imagined with her brother’s childhood best friend, Joe. A single dad of two kids, he’s the last person Maren wants to get tied up with.

A big thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Erin Hahn is my underrated favorite rom com writer. This was the perfect fall read for Midwest girls who love the lake and the colors changing. I was really loved the inclusion of an autistic child and how Joe was an amazing advocate for both of his kids. Maren’s brother was a painfully annoying character who flipped like a switch towards the end of the story. Overall, such a heartfelt, but still spicy, love story with some of my favorite tropes all wrapped together.

Went into this not expecting much, however it was a very wholesome story. First off Joe and Maren’s backgrounds were full of a lot of hurt and betrayal. My heart broke for Joe and his kids, and I wanted to strangle Kiley. As a mother myself, I have no idea how she could be so cruel to her daughter. But it made me love Joe’s character more, and made me also love Maren for the woman and comfort she was to Lucy and the role she took on for Anders. Reading Maren and Joe’s friendship blossom into a romance to a family was absolutely beautifully written, and the sexual tension was perfectly written and you could feel it reading it. I also loved Maren’s friends and that Joe met Cam to ask advice and they FaceTimed Lorelei’s husband as well. I found that LOL funny because you could feel Joe’s panic in the writing. I actually cannot wait to read another book by Erin Hahn, this was great, I just wish it was a series to continue reading about their family.

I devoured this in on sitting, it was such a delight to read. I love a romance that subverts stereotypes and a fishing beauty queen, a Marine with no toxic masculinity. Gentle parenting and ASD rep. I loved it.

TW for stalking tendencies by side character

5⭐️2.5🌶️

What an unexpected surprise this read was. Slow paced old teenage crush, brother’s best friend love story with all the feels 😍. Oooh and did I mention single dad with two adorable kids 💕. 

This read has been sitting in my library for minute and omg what a pleasant surprise the wait was. 

Masen finds herself back in her old fishing 🎣 grounds after leaving everything behind when she felt unsettle her life. She hopes to find purpose renovating her inherited apartment and fishing shop from her old fishing buddy. 

But she soon finds herself catching more than fish 🐟 when she develops a friendship with Joe, her older brother’s bff and his adorable kids. 

Joe isn’t looking for his next love 💕 interest having his hands full with his kids, but Masen is hard to resist. 

Slowly but surely their friendship grows and they give each other the room to see what their mutual attraction could lead too. 

I love how once they agree to give THEM a try they have such open communication. Their journey was slow and steady and very rewarding. 

I love all the side characters, the banter, the laughs and the heart all around. 

This was my first read from Hahn and it was definitely a 5 star ⭐️ read.

I adore EH and loved this book. I am not an outdoorsy, fishing girl, but fell right into this story of Maren, who grew up fishing and running free at a Wisconsin resort. I loved her journey back home and finding Joe and his family. Erin does such a fantastic job of weaving real life situations and struggles into a swoony, steamy love story that I just can't put her work down. The balance of light and heft is just what we want. In the vein of Katherine Center (but steamier) and Abby Jimenez, we get stories about people and their actual issues. I love the family. I love the setting. I just loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set against the back drop of the Wisconsin Northwoods, Catch and Keep is a heartfelt, cozy, slow burn romance. Maren, our FMC, has left everything behind and is reinventing herself. Josiah (Joe), our MMC, is a recently divorced, single dad to two kids (one of whom is on the spectrum). Oh, and Joe happens to be Maren’s older brother’s best friend.

I am a huge fan of slow burns and I absolutely loved the build up of the relationship between Maren and Joe. This wasn’t any insta-love or insta-lust situation. You really get to see their relationship develop, grow, and change into something so beautiful. Maren and Joe are each able to provide exactly what the other needs and balance each other nicely. All without silly third act break up!

Maren’s relationship with Joe’s kids, Anders and Lucy, was a particular favorite part of the story for me. Those two kids are absolute gems and deserve the world.

The pacing was exactly on point and at no point did I feel bored or like the story dragged. But…the side plot with Maren’s sort of stalker felt oddly out of place for me. I personally could feel the story didn’t need it. There was enough tension without it and there wasn’t really any payoff for it.

As someone who grew up in Wisconsin and spent every summer fishing with my grandpa in the Northwoods, Catch and Keep felt so real to me.

This was my first book from Erin Hahn and I am literally running to the store to get more from her.

A solid 4.5 stars from me!